Tuesday, 28 December 2010

In the last few months despite lowering funds in the old bank account I've still found myself on numerous occasions perusing the rails on Oxford Street. When I'm there, it usually happens whenever I walk into New Look, a certain song breaks through the usual chart drivel and stops me in my tracks. For months I only knew it as my shopping song, now I've found out what it is. 'Katy on a Mission' by upcoming artist Katy B is the soundtrack to my shopping sprees.

Katy B, a 20 something BRIT school and Goldsmiths University graduate, has been making waves in the underground garage and funky house scene for months after her debut single 'Katy on a Mission' was released earlier this year. Somehow she's the perfect mix of unique and marketable making her Radio 1's new favourite act. Both '... Mission' and her latest, 'Lights On' have played heavily on the Radio 1 playlist.

'Lights On' is a dancing song about dancing. The best kind of dancing song. While Katy sings about her love of throwing a few moves on the floor Ms Dynamite waxes lyrical making us wonder why she ever went away. Katy B is working with Ms Dynamite on her upcoming album so hopefully we'll be getting more of the same and better.

Friday, 24 December 2010

Probably the sexiest song about Santa ever made, the late Eartha Kitt's version of Santa Baby knocks the socks off every other version, including Marilyn's, in my eyes.

The 1953 Christmas song was orginally recorded by Kitt and has been covered by numerous others including Madonna, the Sugababes and, oddly Taylor Swift, I bet you good money our wholesome Ms Swift didn't even understand most of the double entendres that make the song what it is. They all tried to top our Eartha but none of them reached the sultry heights that she did so easily.

Also this song employs the rarely used christmas double entendre involving Christmas trees. To my memory only Lady Gaga has been brazen enough to invoke that imagery, see my earlier post, and she went full throttle with it.

This is probably Kitt's most well known song and for good reason. The perfect Christmas song for the lovers of the high life.

Thursday, 23 December 2010

Number three on the list it's my old friends Karen O and the gang, ok they don't actually know me..yet, with their amazing Christmas tune 'All I Want For Christmas', not related to the well known Mariah Carey tune, number 4 on our list. This is a stand out tune, one I can listen to any time of year.

Tuesday, 21 December 2010

Only five more days to go till Christmas and we're nearly at the end of our countdown to the greatest Christmas songs of all time. It's like those Channel 4 Greatest shows but ... better.

At number five is a tune I know a lot of people will pretend to hate in public but when they reach the safety of their bedrooms or lose their ambitions in the shower that's when they show their real feelings.

Yes the song that everyone sings at the top of their lungs at this time of year, it's 'All I Want For Christmas' by the ultimate, I-don't-do-stairs, diva that is Mariah Carey.

A controversial one but a good'un all the same, get out your hairbrush it's time to sing along.

Monday, 20 December 2010

Only one week to go are you sick of Christmas yet before it's even begun, cuz I'm not and for those of you that are on the same page as me here's the ultra cool Raveonettes with their ultra cool santa related tune.

It sounds like a Christmas rave in a snow globe. All mysterious and twinkling riffs with bounding beats.

The song of the month is one that you've probably already heard before but I still have to post about it.

I know technically a ten-year-old should not be able to make a hit song good enough to rival Rihanna but stranger things have happened. I've fallen for the kooky hairstyle and shrunken Lady Gaga clothes of Willow Smith.

The coolest ten year old in the world has already raised the bar for inventive, catchy pop songs and is waiting for everyone else to catch up.

'Whip My Hair' is amazing I don't care what anyone says, though I do have a pretty nasty neck injury after trying to copy the dance.

Thursday, 9 December 2010

Punk royalty Viv Albertine is back to show the youngun's how it's done when it comes to and all things festive.

After seeing Viv in all her glory at Ladyfest Ten I couldn't wait to devour all of her solo work in one almighty gulp, so you'll probably understand why I'm so happy she has recently released a christmas song.

'Home Sweet Home (At Christmas)' is basically a re-recording of an earlier song, 'Confessions of a MILF', but with some holly on top.

HSH is a lament to troubles of a lonely housewife trapped in a monotonous, soul destroying routine of "washing, cleaning, fucking" that spirals to the point where she could think of nothing worse than entering the house that has become the bain of her life.

Yeah... It sounds a bit depressing but if you love a bit of dark humour it's amazing.

Monday, 6 December 2010

Since I'm having a little trouble with 8 Tracks I can't make my usual mixtapes each month. Until I find a replacement, or 8 Tracks gets it's act together, I'm just going to post a new Christmas song each day till Christmas Day. I've been racking my brains for some good ones and I think I got a few you'll love.

For now here's Black Christmas by the genre defining punk rock heroine Poly Styrene. 'Black Christmas' is the first release from Poly since last year's single 'City of Christmas Ghosts' with Goldblade. Poly is hoping to follow this seasonal single with the full length album Generation Indigo next year.

Featuring her daughter Celeste 'Black Christmas' is a reggae kissed driving song that focuses on the 'true meaning of Christmas' i.e not buying presents and getting pissed in front of grandma. If you're expecting Poly's usual shrill shouty way of singing you'll find it's not but instead replaced with a grown up soft, lulling vocal.

I couldn't think of a better way of getting you into the Christmas mood.